The Cellars

Slandwar's main place of auction. Old or new, big or small, as long as it is not alive and not illegal, the Cellar's will sell for you.

Purpose / Function

The Cellars was an urban winery run by Vintriloquism. It made, stored and sold wines made from the grapes they harvested in their fields outside of Slandwar.

Alterations

What was once the restaurant of the winery is now the live auction hall. While many bids are done online, there are still plenty done in person, all by the seller's wishes.

Architecture

The doors are large enough for forklifts to easily drive through, and now are dressed up to look like it was designed more for aesthetic than for function. Most of the rooms have a high ceiling clearance, held up by an efficient amount of columns to make the most use of each large open room. About a third of the building is offices, another third is storage and displays of items going on auction, and the last third is the live auction hall.
Because of its original use as a winery, the building is very well insulated, which helps with the storage of any and all items it stores. It also has a floor drainage system which started as grated by was upgraded to a slot drain. For previous design of wine spillage and the like, that and the non-porous flooring makes it easy for the auction house to look clean and pristine.

History

As the War Underground Mall was initially constructed, Vintriloquism bought a space and constructed a better winery than what they had in a space they were renting above ground. When the mall opened, Vintrioloquism's business took off in their new location. As well as producing wine and having a restaurant to pare with the wine tasting, one of the members of Vintriloquism would put on shows (music and variety) to entertain groups - the most well known being his own ventriloquism act.
The building housed this business for 48 years before a series of unfortunate harvesting and business decisions bankrupted the company. The building was snatched up by an enterprising young businessman who turned it immediately into an auction house. It has now been the Cellars for as long as it was Vintriloquism.

Tourism

Once upon a time, tourists came from all over to taste Vintriloquism's wines and see their shows, before the business went under. Now the visitors are less there by chance and more people who have been looking for something specific, either to buy or sell. However, for the people who don't have the Ditch as a common destination while they visit or even live in Slandwar, the Cellars attracts new blood with their out-of-place storefront. Even those who never step in might linger outside, looking in through the large storefront windows.

by The Met 150

Founding Date

1924

Type

Brewery / Winery

Parent Location

War Underground Mall

The storefront is large, open windows into the entrance rooms displaying the money that the establishment circulates with furnishings which promote their tendency to sell antique items, while also being classy enough that those wishing to sell more modern items wouldn't be averse to stepping in. Because of this, it is almost impossible to remember what stores are on either side of the Cellars unless one had a vested interest, which is why businesses there have changed constantly while the Cellars has remained the same. It can't be said that is common in the Ditch - most businesses cycle in and out, while the people who live down here tend to stay.
One would expect it to be busier, but it might have to do about the time of day. Not that the building is empty, no. But an auction is going on, or a tour of held items, and the only people in the front are their at the reception desk. The counter clerks greet all with a smile, and it's nearly impossible to tell if they are all that good at acting or if they really do love their job. Or, at least, the money that it gets them. The Cellars has to be the most openly productive and successful business in the entire underground.
Which is not to say other businesses don't make money, even consistently. If they do though, it is a secret, hidden from the usual crowds. While the Cellars is here to stay and everyone knows it.